Captive of the Harem

by Anne Herries

  diligently to become one of the Faithful. Karin, Caliph Bakhar’s

  wife, taught me. She is with me now and wil confirm this if

  asked.’

  ‘This we have been told of already,’ the Vizier replied. ‘But if

  what you say is true about already being a believer before you

  came here, then there can be no accusations that you have been

  forced to convert to the true faith. Yet we would have the truth

  of this matter from you, lady.’

  ‘If you wil permit me, I can prove it is the truth, my lord.’

  The Vizier’s eyes narrowed. He glanced towards the Sultan,

  who beckoned him forward to whisper in his ear. After a few

  seconds, he nodded and came back to Eleanor.

  seconds, he nodded and came back to Eleanor.

  ‘His Magnificence would hear more of this proof.’

  ‘This was given to me by my father,’ Eleanor said, reaching

  beneath her tunic for the treasure of the Far Cross. ‘We were

  researching a legend when this came into our possession—and

  my father gave it to me to look after for him on our voyage.

  When we were at sea and our ship was tossed by the winds, it

  gave me courage—and I prayed to Alah to save me. I believe it

  was through his goodness that I was saved from the storm and

  delivered into the hands of a good and just man.’

  ‘What is it?’ the Vizier asked as he took the jeweled object

  from her, turning it over in his hand. ‘I do not see the significance of this trinket.’

  ‘If the lord Vizier would undo the stopper, he would see that

  it contains an ancient manuscript writ very smal—and the words

  inscribed are a part of the Qur’an. It is a part of the treasure of

  the Abbot of the Far Cross and was stolen many centuries ago

  by pirates.’

  ‘Bring it to me!’

  Eleanor looked at the man who had spoken. The Sultan was

  clearly interested in her treasure and she thought she saw a gleam

  of excitement in his eyes as he held out his hand imperiously. She

  handed the smal vial to the Vizier who carried it to his master

  and offered it to him.

  ‘Open it,’ the Sultan commanded, and watched eagerly as his

  Vizier obeyed. ‘Take out what is inside and tel me if she speaks

  the truth.’

  The Vizier did as he was bid, then turned to his master and

  The Vizier did as he was bid, then turned to his master and

  held it out once more. ‘The woman speaks the truth,

  Magnificence.’

  ‘Give it to me—the manuscript.’ The Sultan studied it in

  silence for a moment, then his dark eyes returned it to his Vizier.

  ‘Ask her why she wore it around her neck?’

  Eleanor waited until the Vizier came back to her and asked

  the question of her before replying. It would be presumptuous of

  her to speak directly to the Sultan unless invited.

  ‘My master wishes to know why you wear the trinket about

  your neck?’

  ‘Because it has brought me good fortune,’ Eleanor replied. ‘I

  believe it protected me during the storm and afterwards when I

  was on the pirates’ galey. I have not been treated il—at least

  since I was brought to this country—and have known only

  kindness at the hands of Caliph Bakhar and my husband.

  Therefore, I kept it as a talisman even though my lord gave me

  finer jewels to wear.’

  The Vizier glanced towards the Sultan once more, then back

  at Eleanor. ‘His Magnificence has listened to your explanation.

  You may return to your apartments and await his judgement.’ He

  did not return either the manuscript or its container to her.

  ‘Thank you.’ Eleanor let her veil fal forward to cover her

  face once more. ‘I—I am grateful to you, my lord Vizier—and

  to his Magnificence for his patience.’

  The Vizier waved her away, and she stood up, moving

  backwards from the hal until Karin touched her arm and told her

  backwards from the hal until Karin touched her arm and told her

  they could now leave normaly without giving offence.

  She glanced at her friend when they were outside, but said

  nothing as they were conducted through the courtyard to the

  harem, which was a vast labyrinth of hals and rooms. The Royal

  Palace was the main residence of the Sultans of the Ottoman

  Empire and had been the headquarters of their seat of

  government from the year 1465. It was a huge complex of

  buildings, which was built on the Seraglio Point, overlooking the

  Mamara and the Bosphorus. The palace itself had been begun in

  1459 by order of Sultan Muhammad II, who had conquered the

  city of Constantinople six years before that date.

  It was here that the government and the elite units of the

  Janissaries lived, its various buildings separated by four large

  courtyards and many gardens. Karin had told Eleanor of the

  Divan in which the Grand Vizier and officials worked, and the

  school for the men who wished to learn about justice and

  government, besides the huge kitchens, the Imperial wardrobe—

  which was very large—and the harem baths.

  ‘The Sultanas live in much grander state than we do at home,’

  she had told Eleanor. ‘I have been told that the baths here have a

  domed roof supported on many pilars and are very beautiful.’

  Eleanor was able to see for herself that the palace was richly

  appointed, and there were many marvels on display. She thought

  she caught sight of the magnificent clock Suleiman had given to

  his overlord, but she could not be certain. There were so many

  treasures, which stood testament to the Sultan’s love of beautiful

  things. Besides those on show, she understood that there were

  things. Besides those on show, she understood that there were

  storerooms filed with rare objects, and the armoury contained

  suits of fabulous armour used by the Sultans for ceremonial

  occasions.

  ‘What wil happen now?’ she asked when they were alone

  again. ‘Why did no one say anything about what had been

  decided? My lord was not there—do you think he has been

  imprisoned?’

  ‘Patience,’ Karin counseled. ‘You did wel, Eleanor. I do not

  know what wil happen—but you were very convincing. And

  that trinket you wore—I think the Sultan was very interested in

  the story you told about that.’

  ‘He did not return it to me,’ Eleanor said. ‘But I do not care

  for such things. Al I want is to be able to go home with

  Suleiman.’

  ‘It was a mere trinket,’ Karin replied. ‘I do not suppose our

  master wil wish to keep it—but it would be a smal price to pay

  if he let you have your way.’

  ‘He may have it and welcome,’ Eleanor replied. ‘Though it is

  more than just a trinket—and part of a far greater treasure,

  which may stil exist somewhere. It was discovered on my

  father’s land in Cyprus, and he had hoped he might find more in

  time.’

  ‘Then it may please his Magnificence,’ Karin said. ‘We must

  hope so, Eleanor—for he wil only grant your wish if he believes

  your story.’

&nb
sp; Eleanor looked at her fearfuly. She had hoped that Suleiman

  would be waiting for her when she was taken to the Sultan’s

  would be waiting for her when she was taken to the Sultan’s

  hals, but there had been no sign of him. What had happened to

  him? She and Karin had been treated kindly enough, but it might

  not have been the same for her husband.

  ‘How much longer do you think we shal be kept here?’

  Eleanor asked. ‘Oh, how I wish I knew what was going on! Do

  you think the Sultan wil send me back with Count Salvadore? I

  do not like him, Karin, and I fear what he may do. He wanted

  me for himself…’

  ‘You must continue to be patient,’ Karin warned. ‘Remember

  that we can do nothing…we must await our master’s judgement.

  As I have told you before, these things take time and diplomacy

  —they cannot be rushed.’

  Eleanor turned away, her eyes dark with rebelion. She was

  angry at her own powerlessness, but there was nothing she could

  do. She had been granted an audience, which was more than

  might have been granted her—and now she must do as Karin

  bid her and wait patiently. But, oh, how hard that was, when her

  whole being cried out for the man she loved!

  Supposing they had beaten him—or put him to death? What

  had Suleiman Bakhar done that had so angered the Sultan that

  he should be arrested?

  Was it because he had kept her for himself? Had the Sultan

  learned that she was to have been a gift to him—but surely the

  fabulous clock Suleiman had given him would bring a man who

  loved beautiful things so much more pleasure than any woman?

  He must have so many women in his harem already!

  The thoughts went round and round in Eleanor’s mind,

  torturing her. Yet she knew that she could do nothing to hasten

  the decision; she could only pray that when it came it would be

  the right one.

  Eleanor looked at Karin and sighed. How much longer could

  she bear this? They had now been in the Sultan’s harem for three

  days. At some point clothes had been brought for them from the

  Caliph’s palace, so that they had their own things about them,

  but no one had spoken to them or told them anything.

  Eleanor had wondered if a religious teacher would question

  her, but no one came and she was not sent for again. She had

  begun to think that she might be kept here for ever, and spent

  much of the time pacing about the little courtyard garden to

  which they had been given free access.

  It was halfway through the fourth day that the Kadin who had

  brought them here came to tel them they were wanted.

  ‘Where are you taking us?’ Eleanor asked as she beckoned

  them to folow. ‘Are we to be taken to the Sultan again? What

  decision has been made?’

  The Kadin smiled and shook her head. ‘I do not know,’ she

  said in her soft, husky voice. ‘I have merely been told to show

  you the way.’

  Eleanor’s heart was pounding as they left the harem quarters

  under the escort of a eunuch. It was a different route to the one

  they had been taken previously and she thought they could not

  be going to the Sultan’s hals this time. Where then were they

  being taken?

  When at last they emerged into a large courtyard, she saw

  that it housed most of the service buildings, including the bakery,

  hospital and what Karin whispered was the mint. It was opened

  to the public and not the private part of the palace to which she

  had been taken the first time. Eleanor’s heart caught with fright

  as she saw that two litters were waiting—one with an escort that

  she recognized as wearing the Caliph’s colours of red and gold,

  and the other with the Sultan’s colours.

  ‘You must say goodbye now,’ the eunuch told them. ‘The

  lady Karin returns to the Caliph’s household—you do not.’

  ‘Where am I going?’ Eleanor stared at her friend in horror.

  ‘Karin—where are they taking me?’

  ‘I do not know,’ the older woman replied. She reached out

  to take Eleanor’s hand and squeezed it tightly. ‘I love you, my

  dear. Have courage. It is useless to resist—for they wil only

  punish you, and Suleiman. Do as you are told and he may

  escape further punishment.’

  ‘But he has done nothing,’ Eleanor cried, the tears starting to

  her eyes. ‘Oh, Karin! I cannot bear to leave you. I love you as

  the mother I lost long ago. Forgive me for al the trouble I have

  caused you…’

  ‘You were never a trouble to me, only a joy and a delight,’

  Karin said. ‘Go in peace, my daughter. I pray that Alah wil

  guide your footsteps and bring you happiness.’

  ‘I shal never be happy without Suleiman,’ Eleanor wept,

  ‘I shal never be happy without Suleiman,’ Eleanor wept,

  clinging to her hand. ‘Oh, why must I go? Why wil they send me

  away when al I want is to stay here?’

  ‘It is the Sultan’s wil,’ Karin replied. ‘And he is guided only

  by Alah.’

  Eleanor nodded, but looked at her through tear-misted eyes

  as they were parted, the eunuch urging them to enter the litters

  that had been provided for their transport.

  Karin let go her hand, and Eleanor was obliged to do as she

  was told. She looked for Count Salvadore but could not see him

  —her escort was made up entirely of the Sultan’s guard.

  Glancing back at the palace, she tried to send a message of

  farewel to her love.

  ‘God bless and keep you,’ she whispered. ‘They may rend us

  apart, my darling, but no other man but you shal be my husband.

  This I swear—to keep faith with our love for my life long.’

  Once inside the litter, she could no longer hold back her

  tears, and wept as al hope left her. She knew that the litter was

  carrying her towards the harbour and that a ship awaited her.

  She was being taken back to Italy against her wil, and silently

  she raged against the power of men. Women were mere

  possessions, at the mercy of their menfolk! It was wrong that she

  should be treated thus for the second time in her life.

  But no one should force her to marry. She would take her

  own life first. Al she could hope for now was that her father

  would alow her to spend the rest of her life in prayer and study.

  Eleanor’s heart caught with pain as she saw the ship in the

  harbour. If she had hoped that she might after al be returned to

  the Caliph’s palace, that hope vanished. It was a merchant

  ship…but that flag! Had she not sailed beneath such a flag

  before? It was her uncle’s vessel—Sir John Faversham,

  merchant of Cyprus. She had thought to travel on the count’s

  ship. He had not mentioned that her uncle was also here

  —though if truth were told she had not given him much

  encouragement to tel her anything.

  A tal gentleman with grey hair and a neat beard was standing

  on deck, waiting to greet her. He was dressed in the manner of a

  wealthy Englishman, and was distinguished looking with faded

  blue
eyes that seemed to look at her with understanding. She

  was, of course, stil dressed as a woman of the harem, her face

  half covered by a fine veil.

  ‘Eleanor—you are Eleanor?’ he asked as he came to greet

  her, hands outstretched in greeting. ‘My dear child, how glad I

  am to meet you at last. There were times when I feared I should

  never find you.’

  ‘Sir John?’ Eleanor looked at him uncertainly. ‘You are my

  uncle?’

  ‘Yes, child. Your mother was my sister and I loved her

  dearly. I have left no stone unturned to find you…’

  ‘But I thought Count Salvadore… He said he was taking me

  to Italy—’ She halted as her uncle frowned.

  ‘That felow sought to steal a march on me. He hoped to find

  you and also reach a trading agreement with Suleiman the

  you and also reach a trading agreement with Suleiman the

  Magnificent. Fortunately, my own agreement was settled some

  months ago and I was able to reach the Sultan before him.’

  ‘You were here before the count?’ She stared at him. ‘But it

  was he who…came to the palace to stop the marriage.’

  ‘I could not prevent that, for he gave the Sultan a magnificent

  gift and out of politeness had to be given something in return…

  the customs here adhere to a strict ritual, Eleanor—which was

  something the count did not understand. He imagined that his gift

  would buy your freedom. However, that is not the way the

  Sultan does business—and your father’s letter asks that you be

  given into my care, Eleanor. Sir Wiliam was unwel for some

  weeks, but is better now and on his way to Cyprus. He wil be

  waiting for you when we arrive. I do not think that he quite

  trusted Count Salvadore—though he was forced to accept his

  help until he could contact me.’

  ‘Do you know that I am married, Uncle?’ Eleanor looked at

  him anxiously. ‘Wil you help me? My husband has been arrested

  and is a prisoner at the Sultan’s palace.’

  ‘Al in good time,’ her uncle said, smiling at her. ‘We are

  about to sail for Cyprus, my child. Go below to your cabin and

  change into something more suitable—my cabin boy wil show

  you where to go and I shal be with you shortly.’

  Eleanor sighed. Once again, it seemed that she must obey. It

  was no different here than it had been in the palace. Suleiman

  had been so indulgent towards her, so generous. But at least she